Electrical safety service block

ABSTRACT

A rectangular service block is mounted at one end of an extension cord. The block is provided with two pairs of slots on one face and a single pair of slots on the opposite face for receiving the male contact plugs. The block is preferably molded of a plastic, dielectric material. A pair of rectangular dielectric flaps are molded with the block for each pair of the slots on the face having two pairs of slots. Each flap is integrally connected at one end to the block by a flexible web of material. The connection to the block is from the side in transverse alignment with each pair of slots. Each flap is provided with a pair of spaced, integral, rectangular tabs extending at right angles and adapted to enter the slots. The tab nearest the hinge on each flap being shorter to permit the pivotal action. The tabs are pushed into the slots with a fraction grip to provide a safety capping of the two pairs of slots when only the single pair of slots on the opposite face is in use.

United States Patent 1191 Schwartz 1 ELECTRICAL SAFETY SERVICE BLOCK[75] Inventor: Frederic W. Schwartz, Providence.

[73] Assignee: Cable Electric Products, Inc.,

Providence, R1.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 376,616

[52] US. Cl 339/38; 339/44; 339/154 R [51] Int. Cl H0lr 13/24 [58] Fieldof Search 339/154-170,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2.702.893 2/1955 Paulson339/154 A X 2.799.839 7/1957 Weiss 339/170 X 2.932.811 4/1960 Abraham eta1. 339/38 3.064.229 11/1962 Dee ct a1 339/118 R 3.239.791 3/1966 Fyrk339/44 M 3.389.367 6/1968 Schwartz 339/38 3.439.315 4/1969 Hamel et al.339/157 X 3.646.499 2/1972 DeLano et a1. 339/156 X Primary E.\'1minerR0y D. Frazier Assistant E.raminerTerrell P. Lewis Attorney,Agent, or F irmMax Schwartz ABSTRACT A rectangular service block ismounted at one end of an extension cord. The block is provided with twopairs of slots on one face and a single pair of slots on the oppositeface for receiving the male contact plugs. The block is preferablymolded of a plastic, dielectric material. A pair of rectangulardielectric flaps are molded with the block for each pair of the slots onthe face having two pairs of slots. Each flap is integrally connected atone end to the block by a flexible web of material. The connection tothe block is from the side in transverse alignment with each pair ofslots. Each flap is provided with a pair of spaced, integral,rectangular tabs extending at right angles and adapted to enter theslots. The tab nearest the hinge on each flap being shorter. to permitthe pivotal action. The tabs are pushed into the slots with a fractiongrip to provide a safety capping of the two pairs of slots when only thesingle pair of slots on the opposite face is in use.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ELECTRICAL SAFETY SERVICE BLOCK BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The government has become more and more con cernedregarding electrical safety requirements in the home. To prevent smallchildren from being electrocuted by pushing things into the wallreceptacles, the electrical industry has devised various safety devicesfor plugging up the slot openings when not in use. One of thedisadvantages of these devices is that people forget to use them afterremoval. or they are lost when needed. The present invention extendsthis safety concept to a multiple service block but eliminates thedisadvantages heretofore encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a molded,one-piece, rectangular service block with safety flaps having tabs forentering and plugging the unused electrical slot openings. In thepresent invention, each pair of slots, over and above the usual singlepair, is provided with its own closure flap integrally connected to theblock by a flexible web of material. The web connections are made at theside in transverse alignment with each pair of slots. The flaps can thusbe swung pivotally in toward the slots. For this reason, the closuretabs extending from the flaps are of unequal length, the tabs closer tothe hinge webs being shorter. The tabs are pushed into the slots and arefrictionally retained therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple service block embodying mypresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear face with one of thesafety flaps in open position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation showing both safety flaps in open position,

FIG. 4 is a side elevation with the block in use connected to a maleplug and the safety flaps closed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the block in use at the front faceand at one of the spare sets of slots at the rear face, the remainingspare slots being closed by the safety flap; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the safety device used with analternative form of service block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

The service block of the present invention is preferably molded ofadielectric plastic material, although-any other dielectric moldablematerial may be used. Furthermore, while the service block isillustrated as having two pairs of extra slots in addition to the usualsingle pair, it is obvious that any multiple number of slots may beused, each pair of slots over and above the main single pair requiring asafety device of the present invention.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the conventional service block 10 comprises amolded, dielectric, rectangular block 12 mounted at one end to anelectrical extension cord 14. Conventionally, the cord 14 is provided atone end'with a male plug for insertion into a wall receptacle (notshown). The cord 14 provides the block 12 with the electricalconnections for the slots (not shown). Since the service block isusually initially placed into use for a specific required electricalextension, the

front face 16 is provided with a single pair of slots 18 for receiving amale plug 20 electrically connected by the cord 22 to the desiredelectrical appliance.

However, a multiple service block is usually provided with spare slotsfor connection to more than one appliance. As can be seen in FIG. 3, therear face 24 of the block 12 is provided with two pairs of slots 26 and28. It is these spare slots which must be equipped with the safetyclosures of the present invention when not in use.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, I provide the rectangular safetyflaps 30 and 32 for the slots 26 and 28, respectively. Each flap 30 and32 comprises a rectangular slab of dielectric material integrallyconnected to one side of the block 12 by a flexible web of material 34.Each flap is provided with a pair of spaced integral rectangular tabs 36and 38 adapted to enter the adjacent pair of slots. Since the flaps arepivoted at the webs 34 to swing from an open position, FIG. 3, down to aclosed position, flap 30 in FIGS. 2 and 5, the tab 36 nearest the web 34must be shorter than the tab 38.

The width of the tabs 36 and 38 is such that they will be frictionallyretained in the slots 26 and 28. When it is desired to use one of thespare pair of slots, 28 in FIG. 5, the flap 32 is lifted into theposition shown in FIG. 2, and a male plug 40 can be inserted. This willbe in addition to the plug 20 in the slots 18.

An alternative form is shown in FIG. 6 in which the extension cord isreplaced by a pair of male contact blades 42. This converts a singleoutlet into a multiple outlet. The safety flaps are the same as in thefirst form for closing the slots.

I have thus provided a multiple service block in which the unused slotsare effectively plugged up with dielectric safety flaps. In the presentinvention the safety flaps are an integral part of the plug body so thatthey cannot be lost or forgotten. Their addition to the block addslittle to the manufacturing cost. Other advantages of the presentinvention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A multiple service block comprising a molded rectangular block ofdielectric material, means for connecting said block to a source ofelectric current, said block having a plurality of pairs of slots forreceiving male contact plugs, and dielectric means integral with saidblock for plugging at least one pair of said slots when not in use, saiddielectric means including a rectangular flap of dielectric materialintegrally connected to said block by a web of flexible material, saidflap having a pair of integral extending tabs of dielectric material foreach pair of slots to be plugged, said tabs frictionally fitting intosaid slots, said tabs said pair being of unequal length, the tab closerto said web being shorter.

2. A multiple service block as in claim 1, wherein a separaterectangular flap of dielectric material is provided for each pair ofslots to be plugged, each flap having an integral web of flexiblematerial extending from one end of the flap to said block.

3. A multiple service block as in claim 1, wherein said means forconnecting comprises'a pair of male contact blades extending from saidblock on a face opposite said plurality of pairs of slots.

4. A multiple service block as in claim 1, wherein said means forconnecting comprises an electrical extension cord.

5. A multiple service block as in claim 2, wherein said block isprovided with a plurality of pairs of slots on one face thereof and asingle pair of slots on another opposite face thereof, said each flapbeing mounted on said block for plugging said plurality of pairs ofslots on the one face thereof.

1. A multiple service block comprising a molded rectangular block ofdielectric material, means for connecting said block to a source ofelectric current, said block having a plurality of pairs of slots forreceiving male contact plugs, and dielectric means integral with saidblock for plugging at least one pair of said slots when not in use, saiddielectric means including a rectangular flap of dielectric materialintegrally connected to said block by a web of flexible material, saidflap having a pair of integral extending tabs of dielectric material foreach pair of slots to be plugged, said tabs frictionally fitting intosaid slots, said tabs said pair being of unequal length, the tab closerto said web being shorter.
 2. A multiple service block as in claim 1,wherein a separate rectangular flap of dielectric material is providedfor each pair of slots to be plugged, each flap having an integral webof flexible material extending from one end of the flap to said block.3. A multiple service block as in claim 1, wherein said means forconnecting comprises a pair of male contact blades extending from saidblock on a face opposite said plurality of pairs of slots.
 4. A multipleservice block as in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting comprisesan electrical extension cord.
 5. A multiple service block as in claim 2,wherein said block is provided with a plurality of pairs of slots on oneface thereof and a single pair of slots on another opposite facethereof, said each flap being mounted on said block for plugging saidplurality of pairs of slots on the one face thereof.